There is no doubt that divorce is difficult. We know that the last thing you planned on when you got married and had children was separation, but sometimes it is necessary. Utah goes to great lengths to ensure that couples stay together. They encourage pre-marital counseling, require mediation before a divorce, and have a waiting period after the divorce is filed.
One of the hardest parts of a divorce case is handling child custody. It has recently been found that the amount of time dads receive when it comes to the custody of their children seems to be related to the political leanings of their state.
Divorced fathers in Republican-led states get around 32.1 percent of parenting time. In Utah, the numbers are even more grim – here, dads get just 26.2 percent of custody time.
Custody Nightmares
Child custody can be confusing for couples going through a divorce. The main goal should be to try and keep both parents in the children’s lives if possible.
There are two kinds of custody that need to be dealt with, physical custody and legal custody.
- Physical custody deals with where the child will reside.
- Legal custody deals with what rights each parent has regarding the legal decisions of their children. This can include medical decisions, education decisions, etc.
For both types of custody, there can be joint or sole custody and it does not have to be the same for both types. Parents can have sole physical custody of a child but share joint custody with the other parent and vice versa.
The court will look at many things when it comes to child custody, including the ability of the parents to care for the child. Much of this will involve financial stability, criminal history, and drug and alcohol abuse history.
It is important to remember that Utah law requires that both parents continue to support the child after a divorce, regardless of custody arrangements. Child support is important to help maintain regularity for the child.
It Needs To Be Fair
If you are the father and are worried about your chances of gaining fair custody time, the study we mentioned above shows us that you have reason to be concerned here in Utah. Family court proceedings tend to favor children staying in the care of the mother, and that is nationwide, not just in Utah. If you are a father, the best way to ensure more custody time is by securing an experienced attorney.
What You Can Do
Regardless of whether you are a mother or father, divorce and child custody can become overwhelming. Emy A Cordano wants to make sure all sides are treated fairly by the family court and will work with you. She will examine every area of the divorce to make sure no stone gets left unturned. She is passionate about securing what is best for her clients and their children. When you need a child custody attorney in Salt Lake City, you can contact us by clicking here or call us at (801) 901-8159 for a legal consultation.